While Microsoft’s upcoming version of the Windows OS, Windows Vista is not yet launched, the company has begun to appreciate the next update, Windows Vienna,

Previously codenamed Blackcomb (following Microsoft’s long running tendancy to codename Windows versions based on Canadian ski-hills), Vienna is the successor to Windows Vista. Microsoft has released no comment on Vienna’s development, and no hints of upcoming features or changes, they did, however confirm the name change.

Windows XP was codenamed Whistler, while Vienna was established to be codenamed Blackcomb, to combine to refer to the popular British Columbian ski hills, Whistler/Blackcomb.

“The ‘Blackcomb’ code name has been changed to ‘Vienna,’ but we do not have any other details to share on timing or focus, this does not reflect a big change for us; we have used city code names in the past, which are derived from cities/locations in the world known for great ‘vistas’–the kinds of places we all want to see, experience and that capture the imagination. Vienna fits with this concept.” said Microsoft to CNet’s technology news site, News.com.

“It’s just a morale thing, the other names have been kicking around so long. It’s much more about trying to keep focused and keep some excitement around where they are going.” says Michael Cherry, from Microsoft in a statement regarding the name change, and Microsoft’s push to make more frequent Windows releases.

Vienna is the capital city of Austria, however, Microsoft has not confirmed whether the name has anything to do with the city of Vienna, Austria.

The Vienna release of Windows is set to be released some time after Longhorn Server is released, sometime in 2007.